Continuity Guide for StudentsCOVID19

We are here to help!

Click the green bars below to access support and resources for online learning and
communication. Utilizing this webpage and the appropriate avenues for requesting support
will help the IT staff tremendously.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Department of Education (ED) has granted some allowances
in how institutions may process Return to Title IV (R2T4) and Satisfactory Academic
Progress (SAP) through the CARES Act.

Satisfactory Academic Progress

If you withdrew after March 13, 2020 in response to COVID-19 and campus closures,
those withdrawals and incompletes will not be counted as attempted hours and will
not have any effect on your SAP calculation. If you feel that you should have been
assigned a grade of W instead of an F, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, please speak
to your professor.

Additionally, any student with an approved appeal or on warning status prior to the
Spring term, who goes on suspension at the end of the semester and self-identifies
on the appeal that it was due to COVID-19, will be approved and placed on probation.

COVID-19 will be taken into consideration on future Suspension Appeals and COVID-19
will remain on the Appeal form as an explanation for Suspension until the end of Summer
2021.

Return to Title IV

If you had a complete withdrawal after March 13th that was due to the COVID pandemic,
you will not be required to pay back any money to Midland College.

Steps to Apply & Enroll

Instructions for applying to MC, documentation required, and who to contact along
the way, visit the Steps to Apply & Enroll page. If you have begun the process and
have questions, visit the Contact Us page.

Computer & Browser Requirements

Use these links to make sure your computer and web browser meet the technical requirements
for using Canvas.

Browser

For best performance, Canvas should be used on the current or first previous major
release of Chrome, Firefox, Edge, or Safari. Because it's built using web standards,
Canvas runs on Windows, Mac, and Linux.

Operating System

Canvas only requires an operating system that can run the latest compatible web browsers.
Your computer operating system should be kept up to date with the latest recommended
security updates and upgrades.

CHROMEBOOKS

Chromebooks are not compatible with Respondus Lock Down Browser and are not recommended. Many
instructors require using Respondus Lockdown Browser for some quizzes/exams. Chromebooks
are NOT compatible with Respondus Lockdown Browser.

Internet Providers

Student Services put together a list of service providers in the Midland area. Some
companies have special offers for students. Click the link below for details.

Login To Canvas

"How-to" Questions

If you have a question about how Canvas works, follow the steps below to get an answer.

Login to Canvas

Click the Help icon/button in the dark gray toolbar on the left side of the screen

Select the BEST option from the following:

Ask your instructor a Question

Questions are submitted to your Instructor

Search the Canvas Guides

Find answers to common Questions

report a problem

If you get an error message, please follow the steps below to report the problem.

Login to Canvas

*CRUCIAL STEP: Navigate to the Canvas page where you have a problem

Click the Help icon/button in the dark gray toolbar on the left side of the screen

Select "Report a Problem"

Explain in detail the problem you are experiencing

Check your MC email for a response from support

Reply to that email if a response is necessary

*When a ticket is submitted, it captures the page URL, browser and system information
that helps troubleshoot the problem. If the Canvas ticket is not submitted from the
page where the problem exists, it will increase the time it takes to solve the problem.

Canvas Student Connection Course

This course is available to all MC students and provides detailed information, guides,
and videos on how to use Canvas. It is also another way MC communicates with students
regarding major updates/announcements and campus activities. Click the link below
to go to the course home tab.

Most students should be enrolled in the Canvas Student Connection course.

Check your dashboard first to see if it is available. If not, check the full list
of your course enrollments by clicking Courses (left dark-gray toolbar), scroll down and click All Courses, and check that list for the course. If it is in the list, "star" the course so it
will appear on the dashboard and provide future easy access.

If the course is not in the list of courses, then follow these steps to join the course:

Steps to Self-Enroll

Login to Canvas

Click the Courses tab in the dark gray toolbar, on the left side of the page

Student Guide

Course Not on Your Dashboard?

Click the Courses link on the left dark-gray toolbar on your screen, scroll down and
click All Courses. "Star" the course to place it on your dashboard. If a course you
registered for is not on your dashboard, contact your advisor.

Student Guide

Quiz/Test Monitoring Software

Some instructors enable the LockDown Browser and/or Monitor in their courses for quizzes/tests.
This requires students to download and install free software on their computer or
iPad. A "how-to" video, requirements and tips and tricks are located on the Canvas
web page and click the green Respondus LockDown Browser tab.

Canvas Notifications

Netiquette

Netiquette is the correct or acceptable way of communicating on the internet.

Much of your class could involve a combination of chat, discussion boards, email,
and texting. Be respectful of others and their opinions and be mindful of other cultures.
Follow the same standards of behavior online that you would in person.

Do not use all capital letters when responding. All-caps is the equivalent of yelling
or screaming in person.

Make yourself look good by using proper spelling and grammar. Avoid texting shortcuts,
make your posts thoughtful and always use clean language.

When emailing your instructor, include your course/section number in the subject.
This will help the instructor sort through email.

Tutoring Services

Computer Labs

Computer labs will be open for MC students in the Learning Resource Center/Library.
These labs will undergo advanced sanitation on a regular basis, and workstations will
be situated six feet apart from one another. Computer lab hours will be posted on
the Library Hours page by the end of the week.

Testing Center

The Testing Center, located in the Scharbauer Student Center, will not be open for
face-to-face testing. TSI Assessment is available for online testing. For more information,
contact Craig Balch, Testing Coordinator, at cbalch@midland.edu.

Questions?

CDC's Self-Checker

The Center of Disease Control recently launched a Self-Checker. This online tool is
an easy way to evaluate your symptoms and get advice without having to interact with
others. To access the Self-Checker, visit the CDC's Symptoms & Testing web page by
clicking the link below. For a short demonstration of the Self-Checker, watch the
video by clicking the YouTube thumbnail.